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Koi and other pond fish: what to watch out for when buying them

If you go to your local dealer for a look in the basins, let’s hope you’ll find what you’re looking for. But be careful before you buy. This means not only checking the animal you’ve chosen but also its entire environment: the water, the basin, the state of the dealer’s animals generally, the store’s orderliness and cleanliness.

Once you have chosen a specific koi, take a close look at it. Observe its movement, how it swims and how smoothly it swims. The scales and the mucous membrane ought to be even and clear. The fins must not have injuries and it is also important that the face doesn’t show anomalies. The eyes have to be clear. Watch the whole school, observe their group behaviour and check they all swim together peacefully.

It is better not to buy if another member of the school secludes itself, swims abnormally or shows any other external abnormality, e.g. raised scales, ripped out or torn fins or eye or mouth injuries. Ask your local dealer about origin and quarantine period. It is also important to see the KHV test report.

If you take some time to follow these points you will enjoy your pond fish for a long time. Above all you will protect the fish in your home from possible diseases.